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Lyrics & meaning

Enni Varum Ennamellam

From Ondru Engal Jadhiye · 1987

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Jayachandran, Kovai Soundararajan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Ondru Engal Jadhiye1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enni varum ennam ellamAll the thoughts you have harbored
Koodi varum velaiyidhuThis is the time for them to come together
Inbam ponga pattu padingaSing a song so joy overflows
Nenjil minni varum aasaikkellamFor all the desires flashing in the heart
Medai onnu podum kaalamThe time to build a stage
Vandhadhendru thulli kudhingha haeiHas arrived, so leap and jump with joy! Hey!
Male
Enni varum ennam ellamAll the thoughts you have harbored
Koodi varum velaiyidhuThis is the time for them to come together
Inbam ponga pattu padingaSing a song so joy overflows
Nenjil minni varum aasaikkellamFor all the desires flashing in the heart
Medai onnu podum kaalamThe time to build a stage
Vandhadhendru thulli kudhinghaHas arrived, so leap and jump with joy!
Male
Namma kootathukku edhirkaalam unduOur group has a bright future ahead
Male
Namma kolagiyilae pudhu vegam unduOur principles have gained a new momentum
Male
Enni varum ennam ellamAll the thoughts you have harbored
Koodi varum velaiyidhuThis is the time for them to come together
Inbam ponga pattu padingaSing a song so joy overflows
Male
Nenjil minni varum aasaikkellamFor all the desires flashing in the heart
Medai onnu podum kaalamThe time to build a stage
Vandhadhendru thulli kudhingha heyHas arrived, so leap and jump with joy! Hey!
Chorus
…………….
Male
Ullangal indha neram vandhaa inaiya venumAt this moment, hearts should come together as one
Inaindha andha ullam endrum magizha venumThose united hearts should forever rejoice
Male
Pongi sirikkum thangai mugathil pookkal poothaadaAs flowers bloom on the beaming face of the younger sister
Adhu kandu sirikkum annan mugathil inbam koothadaSeeing that, joy dances on the smiling face of the elder brother
Male
Vaazhvil vandhaachu yogamGood fortune has arrived in life
Sondham undaagum kaalamIt is the time for strong bonds to form
Vaazhvil vandhaachu yogamGood fortune has arrived in life
Sondham undaagum kaalamIt is the time for strong bonds to form
Male
Enni varum ennam ellamAll the thoughts you have harbored
Koodi varum velaiyidhuThis is the time for them to come together
Inbam ponga pattu padinga heySing a song so joy overflows, hey!
Male
Nenjil minni varum aasaikkellamFor all the desires flashing in the heart
Medai onnu podum kaalamThe time to build a stage
Vandhadhendru thulli kudhinghaHas arrived, so leap and jump with joy!
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Uzhaikkum rendu kaigalWhen two working hands
Uyarndhaal ulagam sezhikkumAre raised, the world will flourish
Ulagil ulla ezhai unFor the poor people in this world
Vaazhvil selvam kozhikkumWealth will abound in life
Male
Thoongum puiliyin vaala pudichiDo not grab the tail of a sleeping tiger
Kaiyaal aattadhaeAnd shake it with your hand!
Adhu thookkam kalainji thulli ezhundhaIf its sleep is disturbed and it pounces awake
Dhesam thaangathaeThe nation will not be able to withstand it!
Male
Nermai nammodu paadhaiHonesty is our path
Gnyaayam ondrae namm thevaiJustice alone is our requirement
Male
Nermai nammodu paadhaiHonesty is our path
Gnyaayam ondrae namm thevaiJustice alone is our requirement
Thanambikkai ulla manamA mind filled with self-confidence
Eppodhum vetri perumWill always achieve victory
Male
Enni varum ennam ellamAll the thoughts you have harbored
Koodi varum velaiyidhuThis is the time for them to come together
Inbam ponga pattu padingaSing a song so joy overflows
Nenjil minni varum aasaikkellamFor all the desires flashing in the heart
Medai onnu podum kaalamThe time to build a stage
Vandhadhendru thulli kudhinghaHas arrived, so leap and jump with joy!
Male
Namma kootathukku edhirkaalam unduOur group has a bright future ahead
Namma kolagiyilae pudhu vegam unduOur principles have gained a new momentum
Ingu jaadhiyilla baedhamillaHere there is no caste, no discrimination
Sathiyamthaan namma ellaiTruth alone is our boundary
Male
Enni varum ennam ellamAll the thoughts you have harbored
Koodi varum velaiyidhuThis is the time for them to come together
Inbam ponga pattu padingaSing a song so joy overflows
Nenjil minni varum aasaikkellamFor all the desires flashing in the heart
Medai onnu podum kaalamThe time to build a stage
Vandhadhendru thulli kudhinghaHas arrived, so leap and jump with joy!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Enni Varum Ennam Ellam' from the movie 'Ondru Engal Jadhiye' (1987) is an uplifting, high-energy anthem celebrating unity, social justice, hard work, and egalitarian values. The song expresses the joy of seeing long-cherished dreams and hopes finally coming to fruition, calling upon the community to dance, celebrate, and embrace a bright future together. The lyrics touch upon familial love—such as the joyful bond between a brother and sister—while delivering a strong socio-political message. It highlights that the labor of working hands is the true foundation of society's prosperity, warns oppressors not to provoke the sleeping giant of the working class (metaphorically compared to a sleeping tiger), and rejects caste discrimination, upholding truth, honesty, and self-confidence as the ultimate guiding principles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Enni varum ennam ellam

The initial 'E' sound is repeated in 'Enni' and 'ennam', creating a harmonious phonetic rhythm.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nermai nammodu paadhai / Gnyaayam ondrae namm thevai

The ending sounds 'paadhai' and 'thevai' rhyme with each other, enhancing the lyrical flow of the couplet.

Metaphor

Thoongum puiliyin vaala pudichi kaiyaal aattadhae

Comparing the peaceful, hardworking common folk to a 'sleeping tiger', warning corrupt forces not to provoke them.

Personification

Inbam koothada

Joy is personified as dancing ('koothada') on the brother's face upon seeing his sister happy.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Enni Varum Ennam Ellam' features music composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics written by the celebrated Tamil poet Muthulingam. Sung by a powerful vocal trio—Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Jayachandran, and Kovai Soundararajan—the song perfectly encapsulates the movie's core ethos implied by its title 'Ondru Engal Jadhiye' ('Humanity is Our Only Caste'). The song's theme heavily reflects 1980s Tamil cinema's tradition of social-reformist group songs that blend folk sensibilities with progressive socio-political ideals.

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